Morning journal and courier., 1887-10-12
mR. BLAKEsLEE RESIGNS


 The Pastorate of the second Church, Fair Haven-His Letter to she Stand ing Committee Last Evening De- clines the Atlanta University Presf- dency-He Goes to Spencer, Mass.
 Rev. Erastus Blakeslee, pastor of the Sec ond Congregational church at Fair Haven, summoned the standing committee of the church to meeting last night and when the members had assembled he read the follow ing:
 NEW HAVEN, Conn, Oct. 11th, 1887. To the Second Congregational Church and
 Society in Fair Haven, Conn:
 My dear people--It is now something more than three years and half since I came among you as your pastor. They have been for the most part happy years, and fruitful in much that is good. On many -accountsI would that my work here might continue l indefinitely, but am led by circumstances to doubt whether that would be best. You are aware that about four months since was unanimously elected to the presi- dency of Atlanta university in Atlanta, Ga. At that time it seemed highly probable that I should accept this important office. But soon new clements began to enter into the | case do not refer to the brutal attack on ! the university through the so-called "G1enn- | bill" legislation; for, however grave matter l that may prove to be, even though under political pressure from the North none of the l bills proposed be enacted, the new and seri- | ous difficulties under which the university must unavoidably labor on that score make a strong appeal to me to go to it's help. | I would gladly do so were it not for the | condition of my family. As things now are l it would be impossible to take them to At lanta with me, and for some time past l have had growing conviction that ought | not to go there myself and leave them be- hind. Were they as they were when this matter was first brought to my attention l should feel differently about it, although | even so the question of leaving them would | be one of serious moment. Under the urgency of friends of the university who de- l sired my acceptance, and because of my own wish to have part in so noble work if pos sible, have delayed my final decision re- garding it as long as my chance remained ot l favorable issue.
 Into the midst of my anxiety and perplex- ity on this account has come most unex- I pected call from the First Congregations | church in Spencer, Mass. By this call l am offered wider field of usefulness than is possible for me in my present parish; and also, what as at present situated is an impor- tant matter, much better provision for the comfort of my family. These considerations of course offer additional reasons against my going to Atlanta; indeed, they seem to settle that question, even though it be at the expense of my further stay among you.
 am deeply sensible of your kindness to I me since have been your pastor. have warm attachments to many of you as person ' al friends and great interest in your welfare as individuals and as a church. would not tear myself away from you in any thought less way nor would I ask of you any needless lbacrifee. But the providences leading to this I call are so marked as to force on me the con- | viction that the time has come for me to close my work here and begin it elsewhere ' TL,o ,,I- io in r1o
 I have therefore, after much prayerful con- sideration, respectfully notified the trustees oi ! Atlanta university that circumstances conn pei 1ne to decline it's presidency; and now, not without much sadness in view of separa. | rion from so many loving and faithful hearts i-young and old-and from so many inter ests dear to me, would most respectfully tender my resignation as pastor of this church and people.
 would also request that this church and society take action on this matter soon as convenient; that they unite with me in call ing council of dismission; and that the ! date at which my pastorate here shall close | be fixed by mutual agreement hereafter Wishing you grace, mercy and peace, l am, your afectionate pastor,
 ERAsTUs BLAKEsLEE.
 The committee will at once make arrange ! ments to call a meeting of the church and O. | the society. The former meeting will b. held next week and the latter the week fol lowing.
 In case the church and society conclude tt accept MT. Blakeslee's resignation counci of the churches will then be called to act up | on the matter.
 Mir. Blakeslee came to Fair Haven from Greenfield, Mass, and during his stay in Fai Haven he has won the good will and esteem of all, not only in his own church but in th' community at large, and his many friend will be extremely reluctant to allow him tt go.
 The church at Spencer, which extended l him a very fattering call not long ago, is on' of the most fourishing Congregations churches in New England. The people O that church recently expended SIS, ,5OO in re pairing the church edi6ce.
 Mr. Blakeslee, during his vacation triI last summer, chanced to preach in Spencer and the congregation was so pleased with hin that they shortly sent a committee to Fail 1 Haven to see Mir. Blakeslee and to induce him if possible to become their pastor. The committee offered MT. Biakeslee salary o1 $2, 800 year with parsonage.
 This fact was announced in the COURIER al I the time, and MT. Blakeslee's action on the | matter was first made public last night.
 The letter as printed above will be read to ! the church at the morning service next Sun day.